New Jersey Leadership Collective Launches to Train Rising Progressive Leaders Across the Garden State

Former NLC-NJ board members announce new organization to expand progressive leadership development statewide

TRENTON, N.J. — Today, former board members from New Leaders Council – New Jersey (NLC-NJ) proudly announced the launch of the New Jersey Leadership Collective (NJLC), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating the next generation of progressive leaders. NJLC is preparing to welcome its inaugural Academy cohort, marking a new chapter in statewide progressive leadership development.

“We believe people, not brands, drive progress,” said Founding Statewide Director Mayrose Wegmann, who serves as Northwest Region Director at New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). “This is a bold step forward in our journey to cultivate grassroots changemakers and progressive leaders with a unique New Jersey focus. Our work has always been more than a program—it’s a network of local and state leaders committed to justice, equity, and progress.”

“This transition marks a formal departure from the national NLC network so we have an organization solely focused on building a stronger, more equitable New Jersey,” said Founding Statewide Deputy Director Rob Matos-Moran, who serves as Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of Governor Phil Murphy. “This shift opens new opportunities for alumni and allies to engage more directly in shaping the political future of the state.”

“This is a major milestone for the New Jersey progressive community, " said Jackie Cornell, co-founder of NLC-NJ, who serves as the Deputy Director of Human Services in Mercer County. “I am proud of the work NLC-NJ has done over the past 15 years and am excited to see what is in store for NJLC. Since our inception, we’ve always done things a bit ‘Jersey’ style and I’m proud of the next generation of leaders who are making brazen strides in our community and state.”

NJLC is a leadership development organization supporting rising progressive leaders through trainings, skill-building, mentorship, networking, and support. The organization holds a 501(c)(4) nonprofit designation, empowering NJLC to expand its impact through advocacy, issue-based organizing, and public education efforts aligned with its progressive vision.

NJLC’s Founding Board of Directors includes:

• Mayrose Wegmann
• Rob Matos-Moran
• Jose Calves
• Intashan Chowdhury
• Anthony Covington
• Erik Cruz Morales
• Ruth Delgado
• Madelaine (Laine) Hicks
• Fatima Heyward
• Viri Martinez
• Medinah Muhammad
• Victoria Pacheco

The NJLC Academy Class of 2025 is already underway, engaging in a rigorous, locally-focused leadership development program centered on politics, power-building, and movement strategy. Graduates of the Academy will join NJLC’s alumni network, which is committed to growing a powerful bench of progressive leaders across New Jersey.

The Class of 2025 Fellows is made up of the following changemakers: 

• Brianna Armstead
• Nashia Basit
• Quinnie Collins
• Danielle Combs
• Will DiGrande
• Khadija Doukali
• Josefina Ewins
• Aaron Haier
• Aquaus Kelley
• Sam Kovach-Orr
• Paige Johnson
• Jordan Lewis
• Diego Marzariego
• Aileen Merino
• Carolina Montes
• Jasmine Metellus
• Jess Murray
• Adrian Orozco
• George Zapata

New Jersey Leadership Collective is a 501(c)(4) and is the leading training program for rising generation progressive leaders in New Jersey. NJLC equips its leaders with the skills to run for office, manage campaigns, and network thought leaders. To learn more, please visit https://www.newjerseyleaders.org/